From the modern tracks of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi to Albert Park in Melbourne, to classic stages of Silverstone in Great Britainand the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, no matter the country or the climate, the one thing all F1 tracks have in common is the pit stop.
Each member of the 23-strong crew has one role – which doesn’t change. Like a beautifully choreographed routine, one mistake can cost the team the race. The fastest teams can carry out a pit stop in under two seconds. Practicing the maneuvers thousands of times in a season, and any delay can feel like hours.
But it’s not just being in the right place at the right time that’s the key to a crew’s success. Having the right tools is just as important.
Front and rear jacks
The job of the jackman is absolutely crucial to the success of a race car driver. As cars rip around the track at upwards of 200 miles per hour, their tyres will inevitably wear down and need replacing. The jacks lift the frame of the car to ensure tyres can be changed in record time. A pit stop for four tyres and fuel can last 12 to 16 seconds, and a stop for two tyres and fuel may take 5 to 7 seconds.
Pneumatic wheel guns
Each corner of the car gets two-wheel guns, with the second there in case the first one fails. Guns will have bespoke grips, with abrasive paper or grippy silicone, as well as bespoke impact sockets to match the team’s own nut designs. Before the recent focus on pitstop speed, gunmen would give a sign when they were done by raising a hand in the air and when the jack men saw the two hands at their end of the car, the car would be lowered back onto the floor. When the chief mechanic saw four hands and both jacks out of the way, he would release the car. Now, the action of raising a hand in the air is considered to take too long, so a button is fitted on the wheel gun. The flick of a switch or button on the side of the gun shaves off valuable hundredths.
PPE
Working in any mechanical environment means wearing PPE is essential, but when the cars involved at travelling at such high speeds PPE is a must. Most pit crew will wear ear defenders, goggles, knee pads, and heavy duty gloves.
Because every member of the team plays a pivotal role in helping the driver reach pole position ensuring the correct PPE is worn is a must.